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Curaçao Sights

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

Fodor's Review

The temple—the oldest in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere—is one of Curaçao's most important sights and draws thousands of visitors per year. The synagogue was dedicated in 1732 by the Jewish community, which had already grown from the original 12 families who came from Amsterdam in 1651. They were later joined by Jews from Portugal and Spain fleeing persecution from the Inquisition. White sand covers the synagogue floor for two symbolic reasons: a remembrance of the 40 years Jews spent wandering the desert, and a re-creation of the sand used by secret Jews, or conversos, to muffle sounds from their houses of worship during the Inquisition.

The Jewish Cultural Museum, in back of the synagogue, displays antiques and artifacts from around the world. Many of the objects are used in the synagogue, making it a "living" museum.